Weekend Without Technology and Hairdryers!

Our drive into camp grounds...

OMG! We actually went camping on the beach!
Seriously, on the beach...we slept to the sound of waves crashing! We spent our weekend in Tkiskamma National Park at The Storms River Mouth. The surroundings are absolutely beautiful, there is no way to actually describe the sheer beauty of this country!
Now anybody who truly knows me, knows I am not a camper. Still not a camper, but beginning to truly see the benefit of a nice camp out without the conveniences of technology! My kids love it, I mean absolutely love it...the idea of being outside all day and night running wild!.
We were invited to join a group of South African families on their camping adventures, they usually go every few months. This was our second time attending, and felt like it was time to invest in a tent, blow-up mattresses and some other camping essentials. Loved our new tent, of course it is hard to complain about your sleeping quarters when you are sleeping to the sounds of waves crashing!
For me, my favorite part of camping with this group is hanging around the camp fire drinking wine and laughing! Another plus....two of the families have "big" girls that love my Claire and are a huge help!
We have only spent one night out camping... still trying to get used to the whole no hairdryer, or straightener thing... baby steps before I can embark on two nights! We usually camp where there are nice showers and bathroom facilities..... I will be a changed woman by the time I leave this country!

I am hoping the changes will only be for the good! I know my kiddos are being enriched by their environment, especially when all my upcoming 12 year old wants for his bday is a tent and a watch. There are benefits from being away from all the commercialization of the States, and living a more simple life! Hope your weekend was as good as ours!

Our tent, sleeping quarters and living quarters!

Bathrooms to the right...

Camp swimming pool...

Sun going down...

South African friends, Rob and Andrea...

More friends; Michelle, Theo & Deon...

Bread cooked over the fire(braii)...

A sneak peak at what we drank...

Good morning...

Claire with girls...

One last pic of our view!

The Last Few Months, In Pictures...

Here are a few of my favorite pictures, taken over the course of the last few months, enjoy!
Hunter, on a local safari!

Taylor, had his face painted from a local African!

Claire, on her first day of school...

Kids, one Sunday at church...

Taylor being a good big brother in Cape Town!

A recent craft in Hunter's art club, an African hut made from a phone book.

Trouble, Claire climbing in the window eating chips! Never a dull moment!

Claire was Minnie Mouse for a school festival.

Claire's class...

Claire in line(towering over everybody)

I am not sure who this is, but LOVED the pouting elephant!

Carson, our kitty, waits everyday for our dog, Lily, to come home from her walk!

Lily, hanging in one of our (half chewed) wicker chairs...

White lion at a local lion park...

My fav, the zebra, also at a local lion park...

Our last visitors, Grandma Lou and Poppy!

It Is, What It Is!

That's right, it is ..what it is! So, we are staying! Staying until June 0f 2012, with the possibility of leaving beginning in Dec 2011. Pat is needed here, and the reality of life has answered our tough questions! Tough questions like... Can you stay past contract(Ending Nov 2011)? Pat's reply, only if the family can do it. Family(my) reply...No! Morning after sleeping on it...Maybe! After many talks with many people, I am reminded of the basic truth...it is two more years of a good, stable job. Two more years of food on the table, good food!!
When we heard what was happening to our friends currently in the States and my family, we felt as if the better hand was dealt to us!
So now my reply, Yes. Yes, I know what is best. Yes, I know what we need to do, but Yes is the hard answer!
When you look at what we have been given; the area where we live, the opportunities that have been laid out for us...an outsider would say "You are an idiot for wanting this to end!" When you look at what we are missing....time spent with family; a smart person would say "I get it, I understand the hardness", but then say "You have to do what is best for the ENTIRE family", and that is Stay!
So, with that said... South Africa is home for a little while longer!

Where My Head and Heart Have Been...

I can not believe it is March, where have the last two months gone! The kids started their school year in January, both Hunter and Taylor remained in the same school while Claire started a new school! Claire absolutely LOVES school, and who would not love preschool?! I decided to mainstream her this year into a "normal" playschool; after a long stressful search for the right school...we struck gold! Here in South Africa, inclusion is not a part of the normal school system. Unfortunately children with special needs usually attend a special needs only school, and are not mainstreamed into normal classrooms. While Claire is gravely delayed in speech, she is a very bright and energetic 4 year old. She absolutely does not need to be in a special needs only school, but a normal playschool with her peers. Theodor Herzl is a local private Jewish school, but is open to all denominations. Their pre-primary(preschool) is run by an amazing forward thinking lady! She has welcomed Claire with open arms and has never questioned her need for "normal" interaction! We all decided that Claire needed a facilitator to accompany her to school, to oversee that Claire would get all that she needed. She will not need her long, in fact Claire refuses to let her help in any way(Very Stong Willed)! Claire has flourished, and I mean in all areas. Originally when I told her special needs school that I was moving Claire, they ALL were afraid that it was a bad idea....Ha! Showed them! Claire is now making remarkable progress in all areas! But most of all she is happy!
Now, on the back end of that...I now have to add all of her therapies after school, which makes for an extreme amount of time in the car and on the road. Claire sees her speech therapist 3 days a week, OT 2 days, PT 2 days and she is taking swim lessons 1 day a week (see what I mean, its exhausting just typing it out).
The boys have adjusted to their school schedules, and are finally feeling a part of the school. I have a lot of issues with their school, but they are happy. They have embraced the sports program here and continue to excel and improve in all areas that have a ball! They are making good grades, but this is where my beef comes in with the school...their academics and the way they are taught...SUCK! But with that said...I have learned during this time away from home and all things normal; that a little happiness goes a LONG way! I will not rock their boats and change schools; as they will have it rocked soon enough when we move back home(USA)
Speaking of...I would love to say that we are moving back soon! It is beginning to look like we are here for another year. I have mixed emotions about this; as some days it kills me, others I focus on the positives here. Most importantly; as many good things are in place for us here, it will never equal what family means to us there! I have shed a lot of tears over the prospect of us remaining here longer, but I always keep in mind that I believe God has a plan! I think that Claire is in the best place now...all of her needs are met and more! The boys, this is where it gets tricky...they are missing out on a lot at home. Their sports; baseball, basketball, football. Their education, it is definitely lacking here! They also are getting their immediate needs met, but I worry what damage will be done the longer this assignment is dragged on.
The one bright spot in all of this is that I am planning a trip home! If I am stuck here for sure, I am on a plane home to visit! The kids are out of school this summer(SA winter) for 6 weeks due to the World Soccer Cup being held here, so what an ideal time to fly the coop! Watch out Target, Ross, TJMaxx, Marshals..hell and even WALMART! Oh yeah, I will do some visiting with family and friends also!
SO, if you wondered where I have been the last few months....I have been in the car driving from appt to appt, driving from one sporting event to the next; and of course just regular old driving back and forth to two different schools! My mind and heart have been focused on the indecisiveness of our immediate future and the happiness of those around me!
Pics are next!